Kazuchika Okada isn’t ruling out stepping through the Forbidden Door and competing on AEW programming, either at the AEW/NJPW supershow or on Dynamite.
Okada, the reigning IWGP World Heavyweight Champion, is widely viewed as one of the best wrestlers in the world. Performing in an AEW ring would introduce him to a whole new audience, and it would also showcase one of NJPW’s elite stars.
In an interview with Justin Barrasso of Sports Illustrated, when Okada was asked about working with AEW, he noted that anything’s possible and expressed how he’d be glad to have more people see him.
“Never say never,” Okada said through a translator. “I’m always happy for more people to know about New Japan Pro-Wrestling and Kazuchika Okada.”
Among other dream bouts fans have been discussing, a rematch between Okada and Kenny Omega is at the top of the list. The two men have plenty of history, dating back to 2017, and their matches won awards for their excellence. While the NJPW star questioned whether there’s “unfinished business”, he also admitted that another clash could be a possibility if it’s something that fans want to see.
“Is there still unfinished business there?” Okada said. “I’ve already wrestled a lot of great opponents. It was an honor for me last month to team with Tatsumi Fujinami and wrestle against a legend like Yoshiaki Fujiwara.
“There are a lot of truly great professional wrestlers out there and a lot of possible dream matches. If running me and Kenny back really is a dream match, well then that’s definitely a direction to take.”
In the past, Okada has expressed his interest in facing AEW stars CM Punk and Bryan Danielson; with Forbidden Door generating so much buzz, Okada doubled down on these wishes.
“Forbidden Door with AEW has just been announced, and all the fans are predicting various matches,” Okada said. “I believe the day will come when I wrestle CM Punk and Bryan Danielson.”
Time will tell if that day comes at Forbidden Door, and if Okada will be involved in the show to begin with.
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